SIUE Cougars Take Off to Help Raise Scholarships and Spirits

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will host its first homecoming event that mixes physical exercise with miles of fun for the purpose of raising scholarship dollars for students.

The SIUE Alumni Association, Campus Recreation and Campus Activities Board are co-hosting Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run on Saturday, Oct. 1, said Cathy Taylor, director of Constituent Relations and Special Projects for the SIUE Foundation. Taylor is coordinating the run with a committee of SIUE Alumni Association board members.

The 5K and 10K runs will begin at 9 a.m. A one-mile fun run will start at 10 a.m. All the races start and end at Birger Hall on the SIUE campus. Visit the Cougars Unleashed registration site. Participants can sign up the day of the run, but T-shirts will not be guaranteed.

Positioning themselves at the starting line will also be SIU President Randy Dunn and SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook. Dunn and Pembrook will be among the expected more than 200 runners.

Afterwards, participants can enjoy a pancake breakfast, courtesy of Chris Cakes, which is included in the registration fee.

“The SIUE Alumni Association supports academic excellence through student scholarships,” said Taylor. “Each year, more than $30,000 in scholarships is awarded to incoming and current SIUE students. The proceeds of the Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run will allow us to help even more deserving SIUE students.”

School of Engineering senior Ben Krausz, a 2016 Alumni Association scholarship winner, commented on how receiving the award helped further his education. “I am extremely grateful for the generosity of the donors who made my scholarship possible,” he said. “Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to work less and focus more on taking heavier course loads, and do better in those classes. Hopefully, one day I will be able to give financially and help future students achieve their academic goals.”

Also thanking the SIUE Alumni Association for her 2016 scholarship is College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Lejla Garic, “Receiving this scholarship is a great reminder to me that my hard work does not go unnoticed in my community, and further motivates me to go above and beyond what is expected. As a pre-pharmacy student, I will have six total years at SIUE, and perhaps even eight if I choose to specialize. This scholarship will help me achieve those goals with less worry regarding funding my education.”

In addition to helping students like Krausz and Garic, Taylor said that the run will provide a time for fellowship and fun.

“We are also providing for an opportunity to connect alumni and community members back to campus,” she added. “The event offers opportunities for individuals of all fitness levels. Some may choose to walk rather than run, and for those who don’t like to run, they can support our runners. We will also have a variety of family entertainment including a mobile video game truck (owned by an SIUE alumnus), bounce house, a visit from Eddie the Cougar and more.”